GOP lawmakers looking to revive 'birther' measure

A handful of Republican Arizona lawmakers are again trying to pass a law requiring presidential candidates to sign an affidavit swearing they meet the federal requirements for the job before they can get on the state's ballot.

The efforts stem from question about President Barack Obama's citizenship. Hawaiian officials have repeatedly confirmed Obama's birth in their state but some continue to believe he was born in Kenya, his father's homeland.

Rep. Carl Seel, R-Phoenix, added the affidavit requirement to House Bill 2480. It passed the Senate Government Reform Committee two weeks ago, but has since stalled. It still needs a vote of both the full House and Senate before going to the governor.

On Tuesday, Seel gathered Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and several other Republican lawmakers to ask the public to demand that Senate President Steve Pierce, R-Prescott, move the bill forward.

"Our ballot, no matter what office someone is running for, should have the highest level of validity," Seel said. "That couldn't be more American, and it couldn't be more nonpartisan."

Arpaio earlier this month announced that a six-month investigation by a volunteer posse had found significant irregularities with Obama's birth certificate and his selective-service card.

"It's very controversial, but something has to be done," Arpaio said. "It's very important to at least have some law that you have to show that you were born in the United States."

The Arizona Legislature last year became the first in the nation to pass a measure requiring such actions of candidates. Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed the bill.

Seel said this year's version addresses Brewer's concerns with last year's bill.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio, left, Rep. Carl Seel and Sen. Lori Klein hold a press conference about HB 2480, which requires presidential and vice presidential candidates to file affidavits of citizenship to get on the Arizona ballot, at the Old Capitol building Senate chambers in Phoenix on Tuesday, March 27, 2012.